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Selected Works of Soma Sen
Presentation
Barriers to Substance Abuse Treatment among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Annual Conference (2011)
  • Carmen L. Masson, University of San Francisco
  • Michael S. Shopshire, University of San Francisco
  • Soma Sen, San Jose State University
  • Kim Hoffman, Oregon Health and Science University
  • Nicholas Hengl, University of California, San Francisco
  • John Bartolome, Asian American Recovery Services
  • Dennis McCarty, Oregon Health and Science University
  • James L. Sorensen, University of California, San Francisco
  • Martin Y. Iguchi, University of California, Los Angeles
Abstract
This mixed methods study examined motivations and barriers to substance abuse treatment entry and treatment continuation among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) substance users. AAPI substance users (N = 61) were recruited from substance abuse treatment programs in California and Hawaii. Semi-structured interviews and interviewer-administered surveys assessed barriers and facilitators to entering substance abuse treatment. Barriers included peer pressure, family influences, and face loss concerns. Facilitators included peer support, involvement in the criminal justice system, a perceived need for treatment, and culturally competent substance abuse treatment services. Family and peer influences may act as both facilitators and impediments. AAPI substance using populations face many of the same individual-level and structural and systems barriers to entry to treatment as other substance using populations. However, similar to other racial/ethnic minority groups, it is important to address cultural differences and develop culturally competent substance abuse treatments for the AAPI population.
Keywords
  • Asian,
  • Pacific Islander,
  • substance abuse treatment,
  • cultural competency,
  • cultural barriers
Disciplines
Publication Date
May, 2011
Citation Information
Carmen L. Masson, Michael S. Shopshire, Soma Sen, Kim Hoffman, et al.. "Barriers to Substance Abuse Treatment among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders" National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Annual Conference (2011)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/soma_sen/24/